i'd like some tips on the actual installation of the rear main seal in concern of getting it in there flat and even, there is supposed to be some special kind of seal installation tool, but i don't have one.

i looked on HT and google for hours and only found people BSing about it and not too much technical.

i did manage to find an import tuner article using a piece of PVC pipe, and some guys who just wing it or use the old seal to beat the new one in


hell, i'm in the middle of a transmission swap (another auto lol)
the rear seal does not leak a drop, i kind of don't want to screw up a good thing, but part of me wants to just replace it now for cheap insurance

 

if it doesn't leak, dont touch it.
You're opening up potential issues you don't need to deal with. There is preventative maintainencd steps. That isn't one of them

 

alldata tells me to use the oem honda tool and seat it .5-.8 mm below flush

ehhh, i'm thinking not to mes with it, much less the cover and flex plate

edit: took down pic since alldata is being funny and putting random assed pictures

 

To be honest, these things are best done by taking the entire plate out that surrounds the seal. However, in order to do this you need to drop the oil pan because the two bolts that go through the plate also hold the oil pan to the block. If you've never replaced your oil pan gasket then you can kill two birds with one stone here. Just remember to remove all old rtv from the entire engine block and oil pan and make sure to use carb cleaner to clean off the block and pan of any AND ALL oil residue. Then remove the rear main seal plate which will include the seal. Then you will remove all the old hondabond that is on both the plate and the engine block using a razor blade using the long side(never the points since this will scratch the surfaces). When you remove the plate there is no risk to damaging the crank and it won't be a pain to remove the seal. Then you will put rtv along the plate where you removed the hondabond(you will see the area where you need to add rtv) as well as the seal and you need to make sure to add grease to the inner lip of the seal as this will allow the seal to break in properly otherwise the seal might tear and leak. This isn't a big deal. Just be sure to add grease around the inner part of the seal. Then dip a finger in engine oil and wipe your finger around the outer edge of the seal to allow the plate and seal to slide more easily back on and then add the plate to the block and tighten the 10mm bolts holding the plate to the block.

Keep in mind to drop the pan you will probably need to drop the lower front to back member and this will be done after removing the exhaust flange so you will need a new exhaust flange gasket.

 

for the record, my rear main never leaked a drop, and i decided to leave it alone, installed my new syncrotech tranny and took the old bird out for a cruise.

all is well with driving the car again

except i screwed up the hydraulic rear mount (again; first time seemed to have fixed itself??)